Fear Not: I AM thy God and thy Great Salvation!
"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." —Hosea 2:14 [KJV] Carnal ease begets spiritual sloth. Outward prosperity often brings leanness of soul. Worldly joys, vain pleasures, and sensual gratifications, are contrary to the spiritual delights, holy comforts, and godly conversation of the soul. Of this observation we have awful evidence. Woeful experience proves it. It is seldom seen that the church of Christ in general, or individual members thrive and prosper in soul, when all without is easy, prosperous, and joyful to the flesh. Like "Jeshurun, we wax fat and kick, forsake God, and lightly esteem the rock of our salvation." —Deuteronomy 32:15. But the Head of His church, ever jealous for His own glory, ever watchful in love over His own members, will not suffer them to perish with a surfeit from worldly kindness. They shall rather bleed by the loving stroke of His hand, than fall a sacrifice to the world ...